Abstract: A vehicle parking control and enforcement system for a plurality of unmetered parking spaces is provided wherein in-ground vehicle sensors are coupled with a microcontroller or microprocessor to detect the presence or absence of a vehicle in a parking space, determine whether the vehicle is in violation of the parking regulations and communicate a violation to a parking authority. The in-ground vehicle sensors may also include a digital camera.

Abstract: A parking system using parking meters which accept payment by credit card or smart cards. The user can start the parking payment period by swiping a credit card in the reader. A fixed pre-payment is charged to the card. The payment period is terminated when the same card is swiped a second time. The pre-paid charge is cancelled and the card is charged only for the actual elapsed time.

Abstract: A vehicle parking control and enforcement system for a plurality of unmetered parking spaces is provided wherein in-ground vehicle sensors are coupled with a microcontroller or microprocessor to detect the presence or absence of a vehicle in a parking space, determine whether the vehicle is in violation of the parking regulations and communicate a violation to a parking authority. The in-ground vehicle sensors may also include a digital camera.

Abstract: A parking meter system where a vehicle detector is coupled with a microcontroller for detecting the presence or absence of a vehicle in the associated parking space has a plurality of monitoring units communicating with a single unit for accepting payment by coin, credit card or both. In this way the cost of installing and main-taining the system is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hand-held violation ticket issuing device which incorporates a digital camera so that the ticket can be printed with an image of the vehicle license plate and the expired meter and/or expired parking receipt or other evidence of a violation.

Abstract: A parking system using parking meters which accept payment by credit card or smart cards. The user can start the parking payment period by swiping a credit card in the reader. A fixed pre-payment is charged to the card. The payment period is terminated when the same card is swiped a second time. The pre-paid charge is cancelled and the card is charged only for the actual elapsed time.

Abstract: A parking meter includes a microcontroller and a timer coupled with a microcontroller. A mechanism for accepting payment by coin, credit card or both is coupled with the microcontroller for accepting payment for use of an associated parking space. The microcontroller initiates the timer for a prepaid parking interval upon receiving a signal from the payment acceptance mechanism. A vehicle detector is coupled with the microcontroller for detecting the presence or absence of a vehicle in the associated parking space. The microcontroller initiates an interrogation station to direct an interrogation signal at the associated parking space in the area of the parking space where the license plate of a parked vehicle is located upon determining the existence of a parking violation.

Abstract: A parking meter includes a microcontroller and a timer coupled with a microcontroller. A mechanism for accepting payment by coin, credit card or both is coupled with the microcontroller for accepting payment for use of an associated parking space. The microcontroller initiates the timer for a prepaid parking interval upon receiving a signal from the payment acceptance mechanism. A vehicle detector is coupled with the microcontroller for detecting the presence or absence of a vehicle in the associated parking space. The microcontroller initiates an interrogation station to direct an interrogation signal at the associated parking space in the area of the parking space where the license plate of a parked vehicle is located upon determining the existence of a parking violation.

Abstract: A parking meter includes a microcontroller and a timer coupled with the microcontroller. A mechanism for accepting payment by coin, credit card or both is coupled with the microcontroller for accepting payment for use of an associated parking space. The microcontroller initiates the timer for a prepaid parking interval upon receiving a signal from the payment acceptance mechanism. A vehicle detector is coupled with the microcontroller for detecting the presence or absence of a vehicle in the associated parking space. A communications modem is coupled with the microcontroller. The microcontroller initiates a call notifying authorities as to a parking violation upon the vehicle detector signalling to the microcontroller the presence of a vehicle in the associated parking space after the expiration of the prepaid parking interval.